💧 Wet Planet: Miles-thick ice at Mars equator, water would fill Red Sea

Plus: Japan plays Cupid, AI 'anomalous' lunar rocks, and 'Drone-in-a-box'                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 January 20, 2024 | [Read Online]( In the seemingly barren expanse of Mars, evidence strongly indicates a watery past, with dried river channels, ancient ocean and lake beds, and water-eroded valleys on its surface. Recently, the European Space Agency's orbiter unveiled conclusive proof of a substantial ice reservoir near the Martian equator. If melted, this ice could blanket the entire Martian landscape with 1.5 to 2.7 meters of water. This discovery represents the most significant water presence in this region of Mars, sufficient to fill Earth's Red Sea in today’s [Must Read](. 🚨 Have you subscribed to our [Electrical]( newsletter? From AI to smart grids, our newsletter energizes you on emerging tech. Delivered every Friday. Good morning. I’m Shubhangi, an editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let’s get into it! Reading time: 5 minutes Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe ✉](  VIDEO OF THE DAY A plane that doesn’t swim or fly From Cold War relic to futuristic travel: Ekranoplan, a Soviet wonder in Dagestan, and Regent Craft's sea glider promise eco-friendly 180-mph journeys! IE+ SUPPORT INTERESTING ENGINEERING Invest In Science And Engineering Insider access to exclusive content, featuring riveting stories that take you right to the heart of the action. Engage with our thriving online community, dive into captivating science discoveries, and stay informed with our enlightening weekly premium newsletters. With IE+, quality reporting is more than just news - and it is Ad-Free. [Subscribe]( HOT TOPICS - 💘 [Japan gov plays cupid: A dating app to tackle declining population]( Japan is facing an unprecedented population decline and an aging population. - 🩹 [You can now use a wireless patch to deliver your drugs, shows study]( Explore the Spatiotemporal On-Demand Patch (SOP), a user-friendly solution for controlling chronic diseases wirelessly. - 🧽 [FOAM3R tech: Bath's zero-waste air purifier removes over 99% of viruses]( University of Bath engineers unveil a zero-waste air purifier using FOAM3R technology, achieving 99.999% virus removal efficiency. MUST READ 💧 [Mars life proof spotted: Miles-thick water ice on Red Planet's equator]( The Mars Express orbiter unveiled intriguing findings about the equatorial Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF) – the Martian equatorial region, indicating layers of water ice extending several kilometers below its surface. Characterized by wind-sculpted features spanning hundreds of kilometers, MFF has long perplexed planetary scientists. Fifteen years ago, Mars Express revealed substantial deposits reaching depths of up to 2.5 kilometers, hinting at the transparency to radar and low density typical of ice. Initially, uncertainties persisted regarding the nature of these deposits—whether they comprised windblown dust, volcanic ash, or layers of ice. Recent radar observations have now provided clarity, confirming the presence of extensive layers of water ice on the [Red Planet](. [Read more >]( SCIENCE 🌘 [Orbiter images with AI algo help spot 'anomalous' lunar rocks, a first]( Scientists have identified magnetic anomalies in "anomalous rocks" on the lunar surface near Reiner Gamma, marking the first discovery of such rocks. The meter-sized rocks, covered in dust, raise questions about the Moon's magnetic properties. Scientists believe that these findings will contribute to understanding the Moon's history and its magnetic core, addressing the current limitations in knowledge. [Read more >]( MILITARY 🤖 ['Drone-in-a-box': Canada, France defense firms unveil drone-truck tag team]( Elistair, specializing in tethered drones, partnered with Rheinmetall Canada for a mobile Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) solution. The collaboration integrates Elistair's automated KHRONOS tethered drone with Rheinmetall's Mission Master unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). Demonstrated at Rheinmetall Canada's test track, the alliance aims to offer military customers a ‘drone-in-a-box on wheels’, combining aerial and ground capabilities for on-the-move ISR. [Read more >]( Question of the day What makes the indefinite discovery of life on Mars intriguing for you? [Potential for shared origins of life]( [Unveiling habitability on other planets]( [Exploring the possibility of Martian organisms]( [Addresses solar system life evolution]( [Quest for life beyond Earth]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS We asked if you suspect that corporations are investing in robots to get around the need for any human workers. Here are the results. 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Yes, that's how things are shaping up (66%) ⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes, but they won't get away with it (5%) 🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes, but they will find humans cannot be replaced (25%) ⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ No, nothing like that is happening (4%) “Most water ever found in this part of Mars, and enough to fill Earth’s Red Sea.” European Space Agency THINGS WE LOVE [[HOTO Compressed Air Capsule] HOTO Compressed Air Capsule $109.99]( [[CIGMAN Dual Laser Distance Meter] CIGMAN Dual Laser Distance Meter $99.99]( [[TESLYAR Wood Phone Docking Station] TESLYAR Wood Phone Docking Station $39.80]( [[Magnetic Levitating Globe] Magnetic Levitating Globe $38.99]( AND ANOTHER THING - [Smallest, lightest, fastest micro-robots ever devised, experts claim]( - [Top photos from the 2023 Nature Photography Contest]( - [North Korea allegedly tests tsunami-causing underwater nuclear drone]( - [Experts craft life-saving 'robot medics' for triage in high-risk places]( - [Compact, shape-shifting robot by Transformers' inventors lands on Moon]( Need help with advertising? 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